Crime « Thurles Information

Costs Levied Re Conviction Against Thurles Water Treatment Plant, Tipperary.

Inland Fisheries Ireland have gained a conviction against the environmental engineering firm, named as Glanua Group Ltd., following a toxic chemical spill into the River Suir at Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

**Image Courtesy Inland Fisheries Ireland**

Glanua Group Ltd were found to have caused harmful matter to flow into the River Suir at Holycross, and were directed to pay fines plus expenses of €5,561.

The firm operates the Thurles Water Treatment Plant on behalf of Uisce Éireann, from a facility that was built within the last five years. The River Suir was found to have approximately 400m of a yellowish cream deposit, understood to be Aluminium sulphate on the river bed. Aluminium sulfate is used in water purification and for chemical phosphorus removal from wastewater. It causes suspended impurities to coagulate into larger particles and then settle to the bottom of a container. This chemical has the potential to be very toxic for fish and invertebrates if released into the river, depending on the levels of the river water.

Thurles District Court heard that the pollution involved a significant discharge that had been going on over a period of time.

Inland Fisheries Ireland are urging people to report water pollution, illegal fishing, habitat destruction, fish kills or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes to its confidential 24/7, Tel No – 0818 34 74 24.

This successful prosecution is, at last, part of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s determined efforts to protect the State’s rivers, streams, and lakes.

Templemore Garda College Welcomes Largest Intake Of Trainee Gardaí In Six Years.

201 trainees enter Templemore Garda College, Templemore, Co. Tipperary, in highest intake in over six years.
6,700 applications received in latest recruitment campaign.
149 new Gardaí were attested from Templemore Garda College last Friday.

201 trainees entered the Garda College in Templemore today Monday March 10th 2025, the highest number since 2019.
This intake follows the attestation of 149 new probationer Gardaí at a ceremony in Templemore on Friday last.

We understand that this high intake reflects the growing momentum in Garda recruitment.

The latest Garda recruitment campaign was launched in February last and received over 6,700 applications. This marks a continued increase on the 5,000 applications received in 2023 and the almost 6,400 last year.

Some 32% of applicants are female, while 42% of applicants are aged 30 years and over, and 23% of those detailed are from an ethnic background, sharing characteristics such as culture, language, religion, and traditions, other than being white Irish. This is important since An Garda Síochána is a community-focused policing service, and therefore should reflect diverse and thriving communities.

The Government is fully committed to strengthening An Garda Síochána by 5,000 members over the next five years.

Wanton Malicious Damage To Business Premises In Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

The windows and glass doors of two popular business premised situated on Liberty Square, in Thurles town centre, were severely damaged sometime over the past 24 hours.

*“Treasure Box”*, No. 36 Liberty Square, Thurles.

One of the premises and the building most severely damaged was a recently opened convenience store known as “Treasure box”, latter situated at No. 36 Liberty Square, (formerly Stakelum’s Ladies Boutique), close to Barry’s Bridge and opposite the medieval Butler Castle.

“**Roma”** **Fish & Chips Take Away at No. 59 Liberty Square**, **Thurles**.

The other businesses damaged were a Take Away Fish & Chips premises known as “Roma”, situated at No. 59, central on Liberty Square.

We understand that local investigating Gardaí are following a definite line of enquiry and have identified the individual involved in this senseless behaviour.

The reason for the malicious damage caused, is not fully understood, but locals strongly condemn it as a possible racist attack, by one badly informed individual.

Coffee Morning Saturday March 8th, In Support Of Women’s Aid.

Cashel Garda Station are to host a Coffee Morning, on Saturday March 8th next, 2025 in conjunction with Women’s aid National day.

Women’s Aid is a national feminist organisation working to prevent and address the prevalence of domestic abuse within Irish society; how it impacts especially women during pregnancy and how employers can lead in addressing domestic abuse within the workplace.

The coffee morning will run from 11:00am until 1:00pm and the public are invited to pop in for something nice, to help support a worthy cause or even for a bit of advice or information.

Gardaí Investigate Sexual Abuse Allegations At Tipperary Educational Facility.

Gardaí are understood to be investigating several complaints of alleged sexual abuse at St Anne’s special school, latter located on the grounds of Sean Ross Abbey, in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

The abuse is understood to involve up to nine studets and the alledged abuses date back to the years 1995 and 1996.
We also understand that a Garda investigation was launched from Templemore Garda Station, in October 1996 into the incidents, but same allegations received no public attention during that period of time.

Currently Gardaí state that they are continuing an ongoing criminal investigation into these alleged assaults at this Tipperary facility, but are not in a position to comment any further. However, they confirm that they are not aware of any political interference with this criminal investigation, which is also being alleged.

The abuse is understood to have come to the attention of parents, through students in attendance; the former who subsequently contacted Gardaí.

To current date, no criminal proceedings have been brought by the State, despite the formal complaints made to Gardaí, however a file is understood to have been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).